Roy Hodgson makes plea to Crystal Palace fans after Bournemouth defeat

Roy Hodgson has pleaded with the Crystal Palace fans not to ‘desert’ his side after they lost 2-0 at home to Bournemouth.

The Eagles went behind early on when Marcos Senesi was allowed to escape at the back post and headed home from a corner.

 Bournemouth doubled their lead late on when Kieffer Moore met Philip Billing’s cross and headed past Johnstone in the 91st minute.

The home fans who stayed for the full-time whistle booed the team off at Selhurst Park.

Palace have now only won one of their previous eight Premier League outings and have games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Brighton coming up before Christmas.

“We need the fans of Crystal Palace as we know them,” said Hodgson, 76.

“Without them, it would become really hard for us because the players need them.

“My point to them would be: ‘Don’t desert us because it’s a bad moment. We’re as sad as you are that we’re not giving you what you want. But you’re still going to be very important people to get behind us and to keep us going. Send your warmth and support out to the players because they need it too.’

“You have to remember that my relationship with Crystal Palace is with them basically being a Fourth Division or Third Division club.

“The First Divison when I was growing up as a Crystal Palace supporter was beyond my wildest dreams.

“Now it’s now – now we’re a bone fide top team. Our fans have helped us along the way. They might have to accept at this moment in time that it’s not going well for us.

“I really hope they have enough empathy with the team to see that tonight wasn’t the performance that we or the players wanted to see – it wasn’t good enough.

“But was it because we didn’t try? Because we lost all interest? Because we gave up all hope? I don’t think it was.”